Course Attachments

Textbooks

General Learning Goals:
• Problem solving and decision making abilities through the critical analysis, evaluation, and
interpretation of business information: Students will demonstrate problem solving and decisionmaking
ability as they synthesize information from different angles to analyze topics such as firms’
financial conditions and interest rate pattern, and make decisions on circumstances such as capital
budgeting. Scores on assignments and exams are based on the appropriateness of student’s numerical
analysis
• Utilization of available technology for common business applications: Students will finish
several sets of homework that require them to conduct analysis and computation using software such
as MS Excel. Grades in these assignments are partially based on the effectiveness of student’s use of
Excel.
• Team building and collaboration to achieve group objectives: Students will work in teams as
they gather information, conduct financial analysis, and solve spread sheet problems. Grades in
assignments are partially based on student’s ability to work in a team.
• Developing a competency in speaking and writing for common business scenarios.
Each student will make a presentation in class about current business events/news.
Students will be graded on the quality of their oral speaking skills and the effectiveness of
their presentation.

Course Expectations

Course Specific Learning Goals:
This course focuses on the practical and conceptual problems associated with the financial
management of the non-financial corporations. Topics covered include financial planning and
forecasting, risk and return including the capital asset pricing model (CAPM), valuation of debt
and equity, cost of capital, capital budgeting and project evaluation techniques, etc. For each
topic, consideration is given as to how each relates to shareholder value maximization. For
purpose of enhancing corporate decision-making skills, students will be exposed to both the
theoretical underpinnings of each concept as well as their applications to realistic situations
facing the firm.

Grading Standards

Grading
a. Exams: There will be three exams. Each of the three exams is weighted 20% into your overall
grade. Format and content of an exam will be announced in class prior to the exam.
There will be no make-up for the exams. It is the student’s responsibility to know when and
where exams will be held. If you have an unavoidable conflict you must discuss this with me at
least one week before the exam. If an emergency arises notify me immediately; if you cannot
reach me directly leave a message. An unexcused absence from an exam will be recorded as
zero.
b. Spreadsheet Assignment (Group Homework): You will form teams to complete two sets of
spreadsheet problems from assigned chapters. These problems will give you essential hands-on
experience applying many of the concepts in the chapters. Each assignment will be weighted 10%
into your overall grade.
Assignments and deadlines will be posted on WEBCT. You must submit your work via WEBCT
Assignment Drop Box. You have to pick your team members and inform me about your team
choice at the second class. Each group must have no more than 4 members and no less than 3
members. Each group only needs to submit one copy of the assignment.

*** I will only accept submission by an eligible group, before the deadline, and via WEBCT.
Any violation of above requirement will result in a grade of zero.
c. Presentation: Starting from the second week, selected student(s) will each perform a 10-minute
presentation that features on financial/economic news that occurs recently. The presentation can
be based on student’s reading from articles on major sources such as Bloomberg BusinessWeek
and/or Wall Street Journal. The presenting student(s) is responsible of summarizing the news,
offering background information, and analyzing/commenting on the news. The student is also
expected to answer audience’s questions during the presentation. Details about the requirements
and grading standard for the presentation will be posted on WEBCT.
d. Participation: Student participation is very important for this course. Therefore participation
credits are assigned to encourage students to attend classes and engage in class discussion.
Participation grade depends on the following factors:
• Attendance
• Performance on raising and answering questions in class
• Performance on raising and answering questions on WEBCT discussion board
• Performance on in-class exercises
• Performance on team work
Students with outstandingly good participation can earn up to 10 points of participation grades,
while students that seldom participate or are disruptive to class may get zero participation grade.
There is no guarantee that a student attending every class will automatically receive the full credit
of class participation. Also, refer to “Attendance and Classroom Policy” section to see how your
conduct may affect your participation grade.
e. Grading Schedules: In general, the following grading schedules will apply:
100 - 90% = A (superior) Exam 1 = 20%
89 - 80% = B (above average) Exam 2 = 20%
79 - 70% = C (average) Exam 3 = 20%
69 - 60% = D (below average) Assignments = 20% (10% * 2)
≤ 59% = F (failing) Presentation = 10%
Participation = 10%
100%

Submission Format Policy

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism Policy

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.
Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.
We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.
We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.
Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

• Arrive on time for each class meeting. Arriving late to class is disruptive to your fellow students.
While arriving late for class is occasionally unavoidable, arriving late for excessive times may
result in the student being administratively dropped from class.
• Avoid excessive absences. Experience indicates that attending class regularly improves student
performance. A student with excessive absences may be dropped from the class by the professor.
(MSU Undergraduate Catalog 2010-2012, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 1, p. 78). It is your
responsibility to sign the attendance form for each class meeting. Failure to do so will be
considered as being absent.
• Prepare for each class. Read the assigned material, answer end-of-chapter questions and
problems, and come to class prepared to ask questions over issues you do not understand, answer
questions from the professor, and participate in class discussions when appropriate.
• Silence your cellphone/pager. Either turn it off, or switch it to silent mode. Phone rings or beeper
beeps disrupt the whole class and will NOT be tolerated.
• No private talking with your fellow students in class. If you want to speak, speak loudly so that
the whole class can hear you.
• No food or beverage is allowed in the classroom. This is a college policy.
Violating above rules will either cause you being dropped from this class or cause your final letter
grade to be lowered according to the severity of the violation.

Other Policies

Academic Integrity
With regard to academic honesty, students are referred to the “Student Honor Creed” on P.19 of
Midwestern State University Undergraduate Catalog, 2010-2012, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 1.
“We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized
material in examinations, or to present, as one’s own, work or ideas which are not entirely one’s own. We
recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept
and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic
dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.”
Academic dishonesty (cheating, collusion, and plagiarism) is taken seriously and will be investigated. The
minimum penalty is an "F" in this course and referral to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action,
which may result in expulsion from the University. For information regarding Midwestern State
University’s policies about academic dishonesty, refer to the current handbook which can be obtained in
the Dean of Student’s Office (http://student.mwsu.edu/dean).
Americans with Disabilities Act
If a student has an established disability as defined in the Americans with Disabilities Act and would
like to request accommodation, that student should see me as soon as possible (preferably within the first
two weeks of the semester). This class follows the guidelines suggested by the Center for Counseling and
Disabilities Services for students who qualify for disability services. See Page 21 of Midwestern State
University Undergraduate Catalog, 2010-2012, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 1 for details.
Syllabus Change Policy
This syllabus and the following class schedule serve as reference for the course, and they are subject to
change. Syllabus changes will be communicated in class or via WEBCT.

Writing Proficiency Requirement

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.